Help me choose - Nikon D80, Nikon D40X, or Canon EOS 30D?

Similar questions: Help choose Nikon D80 D40X Canon EOS 30D.

Consumer Electronics > Camera, Photo & Video.

Depends on needs / room for growth I am a Nikon man, so I can't comment on the 30D, but between the Nikons, the D80 would probably be best. To elaborate, the D40 is great for a first-timer to DSLR's, as it allows the freedom of exchangeable lenses without the overwhelming number of buttons that accompany different settings on a DSLR. However, if you are comfortable with this kind of user-intensive interface, and assuming you can swing the extra bucks, go with the D80.

I personally prefer to have all settings a button away, where the D40 puts many of them in a menu. Plus the D80 has an internal servo for non-powered lenses. Just for reference, I own a D50, which I adore, but wish it had a little more resolution and immediate access to settings like AF type and metering area--which I think the D80 has..

I’d go for Nikon D40. A close one would be Canon’s comparable XTi (see below for more details). The decision making is relatively simple: 1.

If you want something you can grow over time, definitely choose Nikon or Canon. Lenses are much more important (and bigger investment) in the long term, as you might need more, and they last much longer. Lots of people still use Nikon / Canon lens made 10 / 20 years ago, even on their state-of-the-art digital SLRs, and they are still excellent lens.

2. For beginners, I’d choose a good enough camera body and save the money for lenses and other accessories. The more expensive ones just tend to have more controls that you hardly use (as beginners).

You’re better off spending the same money on some good lenses. The fact is, the technology for the digital SLRs is still evolving rapidly. Any half-decent one today is better then the state-of-the-art 3 years ago (well, almost).

Honestly, if you end up feeling you need a better camera, say, a couple years down the road, you’ll have better choices by then. Nikon D40 is one of the most affordable ones in the market.3. For beginners (and even for pros), have a camera that is easier to carry is good.

You’re more likely to use it! Again, Nikon D40 is one of the most compact one. The pros might feel the body is not solid enough for some extreme conditions, but again, those are extreme conditions.

4. Ease-of-use: all those settings can be quite daunting for beginners. Even after you read the manual, it’ll take a while for you to remember.

As an example, I literally screwed up half of the pictures taken in a party (using a friend’s digital SLRs) because of a settings - I know something is wrong but finding the controls to fix it in a hurry could be a hit and miss. The SLR I use is not a bad one at all - it’s just that there are too many settings. When under time pressure (do you take the time to figure out the changes or do you take the chance to make the shot?

), it’s easier to screw up. Here Nikon D40 comes to rescue: it has a unique help features to remind you what each feature is. I am sure at some point, you’ll run into situations like "I know I can change the camera to do x, but I forget how to do it.

" Its help feature would be a helpful start. Furthermore, there is a "my menu" feature that you can customize and show the options that you need the most often. Now, let me do a quick comparison of D40 with the other cameras: Nikon D40x : D40x gives you 2 extra megapixels.

I’d say D40’s 6 megapixels is plenty good. I’ll spend the $200 accessories, such as a flash or filters. Nikon D80 and Canon EOS 30D: More for intermediate-to-pros.

They do have a few controls to make life easier if you can master them and use them once in a while. Again, I’d save the dollars (roughly $300 - $500, depending on the model) for better lens and accessories. Any reasons not to choose Nikon D40?

Everything has its tradeoff, here are some of the caveats that you might consider if they apply to your specific circumstances: If you know lots of people using Canon and can possibly share / borrow gears, then go for Canon XTi (or XT on the used market). Its ease of use seems to be not as good as D40 in my opinion. D40 has a limitation that if you use some older lenses (the "AF" lens), autofocusing will not work.

The modern "AF-S" or "AF-I" do work. I buy into Ken Rockwell’s rationale that in the cases you’d need to use those older lenses, autofocusing is much less important than you’d think. If you actually know a bit more of your photo shooting styles (and hence knows the types of lenses you prefer), you might want to first check the lens line-up of Canon and Nikon to see which has a better fit for you.

For the most part, they are very comparable. However, as an example, knowing myself, I really want a all-around ultra zoom.In this case, Nikon clearly wins out with its 18-200mm VR lens. For myself, that lens seals the deal of going to Nikon rather than Canon.

DPReview is always a great resource, to give you some comparison on the differences between these cameras. http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_post.asp?method=sidebyside&cameras=canon_eos30d%2Ccanon_eos350d%2Cnikon_d40%2Cnikon_d40x%2Cnikon_d80&show=all Sources: My knowledge and experience, http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d40.htm orion_orange's Recommendations Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens Amazon List Price: $650.00 Average Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (based on 64 reviews) Lexar SD2GB-133-380 Professional Series 2 GB 133X Secure Digital Card (Retail Package) Amazon List Price: $128-550 Average Customer Rating: 4.0 out of 5 (based on 4 reviews) Tiffen 52mm UV Protection Filter Amazon List Price: $18-551 Used from: $8-550 Average Customer Rating: 4.0 out of 5 (based on 23 reviews) Nikon Micro Fiber Cleaning Cloth Amazon List Price: $8-551 Average Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (based on 6 reviews) Here is what I'd start. The basic camera, a good fast memory card, and basic lens protection accessories.

Street price of all these go under $600. Orion_orange's Recommendations Nikon EN-EL9 Rechargeable Li-ion Battery for Nikon D40 Digital SLR Camera Amazon List Price: $0.00 Average Customer Rating: 4.0 out of 5 (based on 4 reviews) Nikon ML-L3 Wireless Remote Control for D50 & D70 Digital SLR Cameras Amazon List Price: $28-550 Used from: $78-551 Average Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (based on 134 reviews) Nikon SB-400 AF Speedlight for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras Amazon List Price: $0.00 Average Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (based on 27 reviews) Joby GP8-550EN Gorillapod Flexible Tripod for Digital SLR Cameras Average Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (based on 125 reviews) B + W 72mm Wide Angle Circular Polarizer Multi Coated Thin Glass Filter Amazon List Price: $38-551 Nikon 8-550mm f/4G ED IF Autofocus DX Nikkor Zoom Lens Amazon List Price: $0.00 Used from: $828-551 Average Customer Rating: 4.0 out of 5 (based on 20 reviews) Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 G ED-IF AF-S VR DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens Amazon List Price: $0.00 Used from: $1,000.00 Average Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (based on 88 reviews) Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens Amazon List Price: $0.00 Average Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (based on 7 reviews) Nikon Zoom-Nikkor - Telephoto zoom lens - 200 mm - 400 mm - f/4.0 G ED-IF AF-S VR - Nikon F Amazon List Price: $0.00 Here are some potential future addition you might want: extra battery life, tripod and flash, and the myraid of lenses / filters for different situations .

Different benefits to each All three are wonderful cameras. I'd have to say with go with whatever you can afford that best fits your needs. Keep in mind that with a DSLR, the purchasing never stops.

Also another factor is what camera equipment you currently own. Being a Canon DSLR user for years, I've acquired a small library of Canon lenses -- to switch to Nikon now would mean selling off the lenses and buying new Nikon lenses. The Nikons you listed are 10 megapixel cameras with 3fps, while the Canon EOS 30D is an 8.2 megapixel camera with 5fps.

If megapixels matter to you, go Nikon. If speed matters, go Canon 30D. I think Canon has the advantage over Nikon in two major ways: Canon has better performance has higher ISOs, and Canon has a better overall lens system.

The being said, Nikon tends to be cheaper in cost than the equivalent Canon product. Between the two Nikons, the only difference that should matter is the autofocus -- the D40X uses only 3 areas to auto-focus, while the D80 uses 11 areas, so you should decide if that $200 price difference is worth it. If Canon is what you're looking at, I would also recommend the Rebel XTi -- also a DSLR, but definitely more geared towards the consumer/amateur, with built-in dust cleaning, and cheaper than the EOS 30D.

If you want a great camera with the manual controls of a DSLR without the need of swapping lenses, the Canon S5 is also highly recommended -- it's a bridge camera, rather than a DSLR, but with a 12x zoom lens, it's the equivalent a 400mm lens. With a LAH-DC20 Lens adapter kit for the S5, you can even attach filters and add on lenses.

Canon 30D! Canon is an excellent choice for SLR's. You would not go wrong with Nikon, but I look more at the lenses than the body.

Most of the high end SLR’s will give the quality you are looking for, but if you have a sub-par lens you will never get your dollars worth from the body. In my opinion I have always found that Canon makes a superior lens (especially their "L" series). If you have money go with the Canon 5D, but if you want to keep a few dollars in your pocket stay with the 30D.

I have had both the 20D and the 5D and loved them both. Dr.Strangelove's Recommendations Canon EOS 30D 8.2MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only) Amazon List Price: $2,100.00 Average Customer Rating: 5.0 out of 5 (based on 63 reviews) .

Had a few chances to compare lately and both Nikon and Canon are making pretty good cameras. But I think Canon has the edge right now.It is clear that they sunk a great deal of effort into the development of their cameras. A lot of little differences.

I prefer the control layout and the arrangement of the settings. But maybe that is just because I have been using Canon for many years. I find one of the real differences is in the superior low light performance of the Canon sensors.

I have yet to see any DSLR outperform my Canon 20Da in the low light arena. Had a shootout a week ago with a Nikon D80. Didn’t intend a contest, I was just helping out and getting the owner started in taking night shots and showing him how easy it was.

We both were using a fixed tripod aimed our cameras at the rising Milky Way. The difference between the cameras was striking. Keep in mind that over time the real investment will be in the lenses.

This is where you will really be committing to either the Nikon or Canon road. Here again I think (just my opinion) that Canon has a slight edge, but this is at levels that only a true critic will notice the difference. Shop for the lenses first then pick a camera?

Bottom line is that you will probably be pleased with any of the cameras your list. But at least you are approaching the question the right way and considering both thoroughly. Just my take on it.

I am sure others who answer your questions will also have valid points to make. Read them all and make up your own mind! Andrew SiliconOwl's Recommendations Canon EOS 30D 8.2MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only) Amazon List Price: $2,100.00 Average Customer Rating: 5.0 out of 5 (based on 63 reviews) Nikon D80 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera (Body only) Amazon List Price: $0.00 Used from: $795.00 Average Customer Rating: 5.0 out of 5 (based on 73 reviews) Nikon D40X 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only) Amazon List Price: $0.00 Average Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (based on 15 reviews) .

" "Which digital SLR is better -- the Nikon D80 or the Canon Rebel XTi?" "Prosumer. What are the substantial differences between a Nikon D40x and D80 and for that matter between a D80 and D200.

Ville, Can you tell me that which combination will deliver better picture, Canon XSI with 18-55IS or the Nikon D80 with.

Canon XSI(18-55) or Nikon D80(Sigma 50mm, macro, ).

Prosumer. What are the substantial differences between a Nikon D40x and D80 and for that matter between a D80 and D200.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.